PLAN:
INTRODUCTION:
Yes, the novel “ The Reluctant Fundamentalist” revolves around the theme of Nostalgia What is nostalgia?
How is it shown in the novel
Body Paragraph 1: Changez
Changez often shows signs of nostalgia when remembering his journey.
The audience can see that toward the end Changez is spiralling into the dangers of Nostalgia.
When Changez thinks about his countries past he feels jealous, not at America, but at the fact that the world notices America’s greatness and looks up to the country but doesn’t ponder on Lahore’s pronounced history.
Changez often remembers New York with fondness but he has a profound hatred toward America.
When reminiscing about his time in New York, Changez remembers the “cosmopolitan nature” of the city displayed before 9/11, and what America turned it into after 9/11.
Body Paragraph 2: Erica
Erica cannot let go of the memory of her deceased childhood sweetheart
While she physically moves in reality, mentally she is stuck in the memories of her past.
Body Paragraph 3: America
After September 11 America clings to its past.
“Nostalgia was their crack cocaine”
TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST ABOUT NOSTALGIA?
Nostalgia is defined as a “sentimental longing or wistful thinking for a period in the past”. In theory nostalgia is a wonderful experience of reminiscing on memories in the past, but every so often nostalgia can have destructive effects on one’s mentality.
In “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” Mohsid Hamid incorporates the theme of nostalgia throughout the monologue. Through his characters, Hamid illustrations both the positive and negative effects nostalgia has on a person. He explains to us that if handled carefully, nostalgia could be a form of relief, but if one dwells only in the past they will lose themselves, and find it nearly impossible to distinguish their reality from their memory.
The